The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is a leading public medical school located on the UCLA campus in Westwood, Los Angeles. The school is affiliated with UCLA Health, one of the top-ranked hospital systems in California. Its clinical training spans a population covering every demographic and disease profile.
UCLA particularly excels in health equity research, surgical innovation, and biomedical technology.
What makes David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) different
UCLA's PRIME track (Programs in Medical Education) offers focused tracks in rural/underserved medicine, global health, and urban underserved communities — a distinctive feature for socially motivated applicants. The school's size and Los Angeles location provide exposure to one of the most diverse urban patient populations in the country.
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Years 1–2: DGSOM PRIME ("Programs in Medical Education") track available alongside the standard curriculum. Early clinical exposure through the Learning Communities model. Years 3–4: clerkships at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica, Olive View–UCLA, and affiliated community hospitals.
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) research strengths
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) is strong in these research areas:
- Cancer research
- Neuroscience
- Health equity
- Transplantation
- Infectious disease
How the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) interview runs
Format: Two ~30-minute one-on-one virtual interviews (open file); MMI used only for the PRIME-LA pathway
Standard MD-track applicants complete two ~30-minute virtual one-on-one open-file interviews with faculty or admissions committee members. The 8-station campus MMI described in older UCLA materials now applies only to the PRIME-LA pathway.
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) intake
Approximately 175 students per year.
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) at a glance
Founded in 1951. Based in Los Angeles, CA.
Programmes offered:
- Surgery
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Health Equity
- Biomedical Technology